Western Bluebird

Gallery: AvianPosted July 6, 2010112 views12 comments

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, monopod

1/400, f/5.6, ISO 800

Crop from horizontal to vertical, 50% of original (9 of 18MP). NR on the bg.

A Western Bluebird on the same perch as the last crossbill, with the same nit--not enough DOF for the back leg. This is a challenging location, with the general lack of light, but I am learning a lot while trying to deal with it. I think I could have gone to f/7.1 and 1/250 and still had a sharp shot. I like the pose though.

Comments and critiques are appreciated. Please view larger version if possible.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by June Marie Wingert on July 6, 2010 at 3:27 PM

Hi Brian, I did'nt even notice the out of focus leg, I was immediately drawn to the head and eye. Beautiful pose and background.

Registered on July 1, 2010, 8 Posts, 137 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on July 6, 2010 at 3:28 PM

I like the good detail and pleasing bg. I think you cut it a bit fine on the DOF, but it is still a fine image. Considering it is a monopod shot at 700mm, I suspect you were walking a fine line between motion blur and high ISO.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on July 6, 2010 at 3:55 PM

I have got the 7D and i'm not too kean to go above iso800 in poor light so I would probably have opted for your settings. At least you have got virtually the whole bird sharp, using a slower shutter speed on a monopod with that lens setup could easily have resulted in a blurred image in my experience. This really is a beautiful bird and I like the pose you have captured. Detail in the larger version looks great. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by David Hemmings on July 6, 2010 at 4:37 PM

Very nice image Brian. It is a challenge to get that back leg in focus. Why don't you try a tripod with a shutter release and mirror lock up?

Registered on May 26, 2006, 178 Posts, 1680 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 6, 2010 at 5:47 PM

Especially if you had a solid tripod instead of the monopod.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on July 6, 2010 at 6:41 PM

Stunning shot!

The composition, perch and bird are perfection!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 6, 2010 at 7:12 PM

Thanks for the comments, all. I am finally admitting the need for a tripod. Once I bought the 500mm and 1.4x TC last Sept, I thought I'd better take a while before making another huge purchase (good tripod + Wimberley head). I think I've waited long enough that I can justify (afford) the purchase.

However--it's been a good learning experience using the monopod for the last 10 months. I've developed some good techniques, and found that I can get sharp images. In fact, if I'm seated, with the monopod well braced, I can consistently get good results down to 1/250.

I also have come to really value the portability and versatility of the monopod. However, in situations like this, where I'm not moving around, and where the light is low, it is obviously time for a tripod. Keep watching this space--I'll have one (relatively) soon.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 6, 2010 at 11:32 PM

Great pose, and I don't mind one foot being a bit out of focus, Brian. I am usually willing to go as low as 1/100 on perched birds. You do get a lot of blurred shots when they change position, but you'd get that at faster shutter speeds anyhow. With our gray winters around here, I'll go as low as 1/40th.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Darren McKenna on July 7, 2010 at 2:32 AM

Wonderful image Brian, nice detail although it would be nice for a better head angle.

darrenmckenna.com

Registered on October 28, 2008, 31 Posts, 214 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 7, 2010 at 9:55 AM

I love the detail, color and the head angle on this shot Brian. I think you will be thrilled with a tripod!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 8, 2010 at 4:35 PM

Brian, I started out NOT using a tripod for avian photography and now use one most of the time. I believe it will really make a big difference. I wish the background on this image was a little less dark at the top to really bring out the bird's head but good detail all around, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by William Donnelly on July 9, 2010 at 8:19 PM

very nice shot I think you can even go to F8 if you wanted too.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 31 Posts, 54 Comments